Excel Still More

In 2017 we focused on the idea of excel still more. The phrase is found twice in 1 Thessalonians 4. This church was not in trouble; this congregation was strong. Paul praised them for their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3). He also commended the fact the word of the Lord had sounded forth from them (1 Thessalonians 1:8). The phrase "excel still more" is not an indictment of where they have been, but a reminder of where they could be. It is an encouragement to grow and do even more.

That’s what we want to develop: a heart that hungers for more. We want to see our faith as increasing, not finished (Luke 17:5). We want to use and multiply our talents, not bury them (Matthew 25:14-30). Rather than appearing as monuments in a museum, we want to be living stones in Christ’s temple (1 Peter 2:4). Everything we have accomplished in the past must be seen as setting the stage for what we’re prayerful to accomplish in the future. Our motto ought to be, “Our best days are yet to come.”

Through the preaching this past year we encouraged each member to excel and grow in different areas of their relationship with God: in trust, prayer, service, knowledge, joy, purity, grace, holiness, hope, thankfulness, and love. Below are the lessons from our Excel Still More series: